Loaded weapon found in pickup truck after chase

Police found a loaded shotgun in a pickup truck after a late-night police chase Thursday in Syracuse, city police said.

David M. Pontello, 37, of 423 Elliott St., was taken into custody after a vehicle chase followed by a foot chase in the Butternut Street area of the city.

The chase began about 11:30 p.m. when police noticed Pontello screaming at someone while standing next to his pickup truck in a driveway outside 920 Butternut St., police said.

Pontello got in his vehicle and sped away, police said. Police began pursuing Pontello, who led them onto Carbon Street before he pulled over at Knaull and Butternut streets, police said.

Police attempted to take Pontello into custody there but Pontello fought with police and ran, police said. He was taken into custody at 1111 Butternut St., police said.

As police were pursuing Pontello, a resident at 920 Butternut St. called the county 911 center to report that Pontello threatened him with a hammer, police said. A hammer and a loaded shotgun were both found in Pontello's truck, police said.

Pontello was charged with unlawfully fleeing a police officer, harassment, resisting arrest and driving while intoxicated and driving while having a blood-alcohol content greater than 0.08, all misdemeanors.

Pontello also was charged with two more misdemeanors: criminal possession of a weapon for the hammer and prohibited use of a firearm for the shotgun.